Baptism is a visible act with a spiritual meaning. It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, his burial in the tomb, and his resurrection from the dead.
And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. | Matthew 3:6
And all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, | 1 Corinthians 10:2-3
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. | Acts 2:38
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. | Acts 10:48
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. | Acts 22:16
And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. | Mark 1:10
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. | Acts 8:36-39
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. | 1 Peter 3:21
Because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. | 1 Peter 3:20
Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. | Acts 18:8
Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? | Acts 10:47
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? | Romans 6:3
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. | Romans 6:3-4
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. | Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. | Ephesians 2:8-9
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. | John 3:16-17
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. | Titus 3:5
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. | Ezekiel 36:25
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. | John 14:15
I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. | John 5:43
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized. | John 3:23
Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John. | John 4:1
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. | Luke 13:3
Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. | Acts 16:30-33
Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Everywhere the gospel is preached and people are drawn to faith in Christ, they are to be baptized.